"The Modern Consumer Has Trust Issues" feat. Scott Emmons, CTO at Current Global
Future Commerce · with Scott Emmons · April 12, 2019 · 53 min
Summary
Scott Emmons, former head of innovation at Neiman Marcus and now CTO at Current Global, discusses the challenges and opportunities for retailers in adopting new technologies. He emphasizes the importance of balancing internal development with strategic partnerships to deliver meaningful innovation for customers, rather than just for press releases.
Key takeaways
Retailers should aim for a happy medium between building solutions internally and partnering with external companies, avoiding the 'not invented here' syndrome and over-reliance on third-party solutions.
Innovation should be customer-centric, focusing on solving problems for the end-user rather than simply generating press releases or recycling old ideas.
When partnering, choose collaborators who can truly co-create solutions tailored to the specific organizational needs, not just provide off-the-shelf products.
Internal technical teams, even highly capable ones, can face challenges in keeping pace with external technological advancements and may accrue "technology debt" by solely building in-house.
Utilize external partnerships to bring fresh perspectives and expertise, helping to overcome internal biases and accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
Are digital experiences the gateway to a more accessible luxury experience for millennial consumers? Scott Emmons opens up to us about his successes at Neiman Marcus, the future of technology adoption at retail brands, and how he's bringing that culture of innovation and technology leadership to other brands in his new role at Current Global.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Retailers should aim for a happy medium between building solutions internally and partnering with external companies, avoiding the 'not invented here' syndrome and over-reliance on third-party solutions.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Innovation should be customer-centric, focusing on solving problems for the end-user rather than simply generating press releases or recycling old ideas.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
When partnering, choose collaborators who can truly co-create solutions tailored to the specific organizational needs, not just provide off-the-shelf products.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Internal technical teams, even highly capable ones, can face challenges in keeping pace with external technological advancements and may accrue "technology debt" by solely building in-house.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Utilize external partnerships to bring fresh perspectives and expertise, helping to overcome internal biases and accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
